Magic Heidi The WinBIZ alternative for Swiss freelancers
WinBIZ ships ten times more features than you'll ever use. Magic Heidi is the simple, mobile-first alternative — from CHF 24.99/month and free up to 3 invoices.
TL;DR: WinBIZ vs. Magic Heidi in three sentences
WinBIZ Cloud is a full Swiss ERP (accounting, payroll, stock, CRM, fiduciary) built for SMEs with employees and a structured fiduciary relationship. Magic Heidi is invoicing and expense software built only for solo freelancers, with AI receipt scanning, native apps on five platforms and Swiss VAT built in. If you work alone, with no employees and no stock to manage, you'll pay roughly three times less for the 20% of features you actually use.
Key takeaways
- WinBIZ Cloud "standard" runs around CHF 69 to 71 per month per seat; Magic Heidi Pro is CHF 24.99 per month billed annually (CHF 39 monthly).
- WinBIZ now offers a freelancer plan from CHF 19 per month, but without AI scanning or full native mobile apps.
- Magic Heidi deliberately stays inside invoicing, expenses, VAT and bank reconciliation: no payroll, no stock, no advanced CRM.
- If you have employees to pay or stock to manage, WinBIZ is still the right call. If you're solo, Magic Heidi is faster day to day.
- Over 5,000 Swiss freelancers use Magic Heidi (4.8★ App Store, 5.0★ Google, 4.7★ Capterra, 4.5★ Trustpilot).
Why solo freelancers look for a WinBIZ alternative
WinBIZ isn't a bad product. The problem is the gap between what it offers and what a solo freelancer actually needs day to day. Here's what comes up most often.
Built for SMEs
Payroll, stock, CRM, production: 80% of the modules are dead weight for a solo freelancer, but they stay visible in the interface.30 years of legacy software
Dense dropdown menus, modal windows, accounting vocabulary. Not built for someone coming from Word or Excel.No AI scan as standard
WinBIZ has document entry, but AI extraction of date/amount/VAT isn't at the heart of the product.ERP setup, not express setup
Chart of accounts, VAT codes, periods: configuring WinBIZ usually means a fiduciary or some training.Paid add-on modules
Document management, advanced banking gateways, industry extensions: the headline price isn't always the real one.Workstation-centric
Main usage is still the PC. Invoicing from your phone after a client meeting isn't the typical flow.Honest take on WinBIZ's strengths
To stay fair: WinBIZ has things Magic Heidi doesn't. A mature, compliant payroll module, a 900+ partner fiduciary network that can open your file directly, full double-entry accounting, stock and production management, an installed "single-seat" version for people who don't want cloud, long-running French-language support. If any one of those matters to you, don't switch — stay on WinBIZ.
Swiss software built only for freelancers
Built in Switzerland, hosted in Zurich, available in four languages (DE, FR, IT, EN) and used by more than 5,000 Swiss freelancers, sole proprietors and self-employed professionals.
QR-bill v2.3 SIX-compliant
Invoices and quotes with the Swiss QR-bill, accepted by every bank.
AI receipt scanning
Photo, PDF or forwarded email: date, amount, supplier, currency and VAT extracted automatically.
Full Swiss VAT
Standard method and net tax rate method (Saldosteuersatz/TDFN), with FTA-ready exports.
Swiss bank import
UBS, PostFinance, ZKB, Raiffeisen, Migros Bank, Neon, Yuh, cantonal banks, with auto-reconciliation.
Native apps, 5 platforms
iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and web, synced in real time.
Multi-currency at SNB rates
50+ currencies with Swiss National Bank rates applied automatically.
What Magic Heidi doesn't do, that WinBIZ does
- Payroll and salary slips.
- Stock and inventory management.
- Advanced CRM with sales pipeline.
- Double-entry accounting for SMEs.
- Cash register / point of sale.
- Production ERP.
That short list is on purpose. Magic Heidi focuses on the 5 or 6 things a solo freelancer does every week, and tries to make them faster than anywhere else.
WinBIZ vs. Magic Heidi
the differences that count
Target audience, onboarding, mobile, AI scanning, payroll, stock, price, migration: here's where the two products genuinely diverge.
Target audience
WinBIZ targets SMEs of 2-50 people, with or without a fiduciary. Magic Heidi targets only freelancers: sole proprietorship, Einzelfirma, raison individuelle.
- WinBIZ: teams with employees, stock, unified ERP
- Magic Heidi: invoicing in your name, no employees
- One or more employees: stay on WinBIZ
- Solo, or working with a non-employee partner: Magic Heidi
Onboarding and complexity
WinBIZ asks you to configure chart of accounts, periods, VAT methods, bank accounts. Magic Heidi is usable in two minutes: name, UID, IBAN, VAT method.
- First WinBIZ invoice: ~20 clicks, sometimes a fiduciary
- First Magic Heidi invoice: ~5 clicks, 5 minutes
- No fiduciary required to get started
- WinBIZ 30-day trial vs. Magic Heidi's permanent free plan
Mobile apps and sync
Magic Heidi has native apps on five platforms (iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web), synced in real time. WinBIZ Cloud is still workstation-centric.
- Create an invoice right after a client meeting
- Scan a restaurant receipt as you walk out
- Find it all on the Mac that evening
- Decisive advantage for consultants on the move
QR-bill, Swiss VAT and banking
Both handle QR-bill v2.3 and standard + net tax rate VAT. Magic Heidi imports CSV from the major Swiss banks; WinBIZ has more advanced ISO 20022 connectors for SMEs.
- QR-bill v2.3: equivalent
- Standard VAT and net tax rate (Saldosteuersatz/TDFN): equivalent
- CSV import from major banks: Magic Heidi
- Advanced direct ISO 20022 ebanking: WinBIZ
AI receipt scanning
Magic Heidi auto-extracts date, amount, supplier, currency, VAT from a photo or a PDF. WinBIZ has classic document entry, no AI at the core of the product.
- Photo, PDF or forwarded email
- Validate or correct in one tap
- Several hours saved per quarter
- Worth it from 30-80 expenses per month
Payroll (Swissdec)
WinBIZ has a full Swissdec-certified payroll module: monthly statements, OASI (AHV/AVS), LPP/BVG, accident insurance, salary certificates. Magic Heidi has no payroll module.
- One employee or more: stay on WinBIZ
- Or use bexio, PEAX/Pebexpert
- Magic Heidi owns this choice
- No half-baked payroll
Stock, CRM, point of sale
WinBIZ has stock, sales CRM with pipelines, even POS extensions. Magic Heidi has a simple client list (notes, history, revenue) but no pipeline and no stock.
- 200 physical SKUs: WinBIZ
- 5-50 recurring service clients: Magic Heidi is enough
- Retail or e-commerce: WinBIZ
- Service work: Magic Heidi
Price
WinBIZ Cloud standard ~CHF 69-71/month/seat, freelancer plan from CHF 19/month. Magic Heidi: free up to 3 invoices, Pro CHF 24.99/month annual or CHF 39/month monthly, all included.
- No hidden Magic Heidi modules
- AI scan included, mobile apps included
- Typical savings: CHF 300 to CHF 800+/year
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Migration and portability
Magic Heidi exports everything any time: full ZIP, CSV, PDF of every invoice. WinBIZ also exports, but in accounting-oriented formats (journals, entries) that are harder to translate.
- No lock-in with Magic Heidi
- Full ZIP export in one click
- Annual recap PDF for your fiduciary
- WinBIZ: more accounting-flavoured exports
WinBIZ Cloud vs. Magic Heidi
Summary of the main differences for a Swiss freelancer.
| Criterion | Magic Heidi | WinBIZ Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Solo freelancers, self-employed, Einzelfirma | SMEs 2-50 people, freelancers with ERP needs |
| Setup | ✓ 2 minutes, no outside help | Full ERP setup, often with a fiduciary |
| Native apps | iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web | Mostly web + Windows |
| QR-bill v2.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Swiss VAT (standard + Saldosteuersatz/TDFN) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| AI receipt scanning | ✓ Yes, built in | ✗ Not standard |
| Swiss bank CSV import | ✓ Yes (major banks) | ✓ Yes (advanced ISO 20022) |
| Payroll (Swissdec) | ✗ No | ✓ Yes, full module |
| Stock / inventory | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Sales CRM with pipeline | ⚠ Simple client management | ✓ Yes |
| Double-entry accounting | ✗ Simplified cash book | ✓ Yes |
| Multi-currency | Yes (50+ currencies, SNB rates) | Yes |
| Multi-language | DE, FR, IT, EN | FR, DE, IT |
| Hosting | Zurich, Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Free plan | Permanent up to 3 invoices | 30-day trial |
| Freelancer price | CHF 24.99/month (annual) or CHF 39/month | From CHF 19/month (freelancer plan); standard ~CHF 69/month |
| Guarantee | 30 days, money-back | Per contract |
| Fiduciary ecosystem | Clean export for your fiduciary | 900+ partners |
Who Magic Heidi is for
(and who it isn't)
The worst purchase is the one that doesn't match your situation. Here's our honest read.
Magic Heidi is probably the right call if
You match this profile:
- Solo freelancer, self-employed, sole proprietorship or Einzelfirma
- You invoice in your own name, no employees
- Expenses = professional costs (gear, travel, subscriptions, training, client meals)
- You want to invoice from phone or laptop without training
- You want AI receipt scanning to stop wasting time
- Below the VAT threshold (CHF 100,000) or you handle your own VAT
- You're putting together a clean year-end pack for your fiduciary
WinBIZ is still the right call if
Stay where you are if:
- You have one or more employees (Swissdec needed)
- You manage physical stock or a point of sale
- Your fiduciary opens your WinBIZ file directly
- You're required to keep double-entry books (CHF 500,000+)
- Industry ERP needs (production, workshop, complex projects)
- WinBIZ setup that works, migration cost not justified
- When in doubt: try Magic Heidi free (3 invoices, no card)
How to migrate from WinBIZ
to Magic Heidi
Plan 1 to 2 hours for a tidy solo freelance setup. Here are the 8 practical steps in order.
Export your data from WinBIZ
From WinBIZ, export your client list (CSV), your products/services list (CSV), your invoice history (PDFs ideally), and your bank entries for the current year (CSV).
- Client list as CSV
- Services list as CSV
- Historical invoices as PDF
- Bank statements (CSV) for the year
Create your Magic Heidi account
Open app.magicheidi.ch or download the app on your platform. Add your name, UID if you have one, IBAN, and pick your VAT method (standard or net tax rate / Saldosteuersatz).
- No credit card required
- UID optional
- VAT method picked at signup
- iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows or web
Import your clients
Magic Heidi accepts CSV client imports. Check that the columns (name, address, email, language, currency) map cleanly. Re-creating 5-10 main clients by hand is often faster than a messy import.
- CSV contact import
- Mapping name, address, email, language, currency
- Faster to type by hand if you have <10 clients
- Private notes per client
Re-create your VAT setup
Check the Swiss rates (8.1%, 2.6%, 3.8%) and pick the method (standard or net tax rate). If you were on net tax rate in WinBIZ, keep the same rate in Magic Heidi to avoid confusion at period-end.
- Rates 8.1% / 2.6% / 3.8% built in
- Standard or net tax rate method
- Keep the same rate as before
- Export ready for the FTA return
Import your bank statement
Download the CSV of your bank accounts from e-banking, and import it into Magic Heidi. The system detects payments and proposes automatic reconciliation against the invoices you'll create.
- CSV from your e-banking
- Automatic payment detection
- Match by amount, date, QR reference
- UBS, PostFinance, ZKB, Raiffeisen, Migros, Neon, Yuh
Create your first QR-bill
Pick a client, add your services, check the VAT rates, generate the QR-bill. Send it directly by email from Magic Heidi.
- QR-bill v2.3 SIX-compliant
- Built-in email delivery
- Automatic payment tracking
- Built-in reminders if unpaid
Decide what to do with your WinBIZ history
Keep your WinBIZ file archived for already-closed fiscal years; your fiduciary or the FTA can come back to it if needed. From the new fiscal period (typically 1 January), do everything in Magic Heidi.
- WinBIZ archive for closed years
- Switchover on 1 January ideally
- Avoid double entries
- No reconciliation gaps
Brief your fiduciary
If you work with a fiduciary, tell them about the change. Magic Heidi exports clean CSV files and an annual recap PDF ready for the tax return. Most fiduciaries accept this format.
- Clean CSV exports
- Annual recap PDF
- Ask for confirmation before switching
- EN/DE/FR/IT support from Nathan, founder
What Swiss freelancers say
Over 5,000 freelancers and sole proprietors use Magic Heidi every day.
“In just seconds, I was able to solve invoicing tasks that would have taken me hours with other solutions, and for a fraction of the price. If you are a freelancer in Switzerland and want to send invoices easily, quickly, and securely, this tool is for you.”
“It's so easy to use that I was productive immediately. The expense management features, especially the image processing, were smooth and seem perfect. Maybe too simple for some use cases if you plan to grow, but that's not my case for now.”
“Awesome! Easy to use, fast and reliable. If you have einzelfirma, it's the only way to go!”
WinBIZ alternative for freelancers: frequent questions
Can Magic Heidi really replace WinBIZ for a freelancer?
Yes, as long as your needs are strictly freelance: invoicing, expenses, VAT, payment tracking, clients. If you used WinBIZ only for these, Magic Heidi covers everything you were doing, more simply. If you used WinBIZ for payroll, stock, or full double-entry accounting, Magic Heidi won't replace those functions.
Is Magic Heidi Swiss VAT-compliant like WinBIZ?
Yes. Magic Heidi handles the Swiss rates (8.1%, 2.6%, 3.8%), the standard method and the net tax rate method (Saldosteuersatz/TDFN). Exports are ready for the FTA return. The QR-bill v2.3 is SIX-compliant.
Can I import my WinBIZ data into Magic Heidi?
Partially. You can import your clients via CSV and your bank statements via CSV. WinBIZ invoice history is better kept as a PDF archive; you don't need to re-import everything. Most freelancers switch at the start of a new fiscal period and keep WinBIZ history archived.
What happens if I have employees?
Magic Heidi isn't for you. Magic Heidi has no Swissdec payroll module. If you pay even one employee, stay on WinBIZ, or use a dedicated payroll tool alongside. We'd rather be honest about the limit than fake half-decent payroll.
Does Magic Heidi work as well on mobile as WinBIZ?
Better, actually. Magic Heidi has native iPhone and Android apps designed to invoice and scan from your phone. WinBIZ Cloud is accessible on the move but still optimised for the desk. If you often invoice on the road, that's a decisive argument.
When should you NOT switch from WinBIZ to Magic Heidi?
Stay on WinBIZ if: you have employees, you manage stock, you're required to keep double-entry books, your fiduciary works directly inside your WinBIZ file and that integration saves you time, or you've poured hours into an ERP setup that works. The cost of switching isn't zero, and it has to be justified by a real gain.
How much will I save by switching to Magic Heidi?
Depends on your current WinBIZ plan. From WinBIZ Cloud standard at CHF 69/month, switching to Magic Heidi Pro annual at CHF 24.99/month saves about CHF 528/year. From the WinBIZ freelancer plan at CHF 19/month, the financial saving is smaller (around CHF 50/year), but you gain AI scanning, native apps on five platforms, and a product built only for freelancers.
Is my data in Switzerland?
Yes. Magic Heidi hosts data in Zurich, Switzerland. Encryption at rest and in transit, automatic backups, full ZIP export at any time. Like WinBIZ, the product is Swiss end to end.
Simple pricing. No surprises.
One Pro plan, all-in. Cancel any time.
Free
- 3 invoices
- 3 expenses
- All features unlocked
- No credit card
Annual
- Unlimited invoices
- Unlimited expenses
- AI receipt scanning
- iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web apps
- Bank CSV import (UBS, PostFinance, ZKB, Raiffeisen…)
- Swiss VAT (standard + Saldosteuersatz/TDFN)
- Priority support
Monthly
- Unlimited invoices
- Unlimited expenses
- AI receipt scanning
- iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web apps
- Bank CSV import
- Swiss VAT (standard + Saldosteuersatz/TDFN)
30-day money-back guarantee. Try it without risk.
Try Magic Heidi free
The best way to know if Magic Heidi is the right WinBIZ alternative: send three real invoices. No time limit, no credit card. Keep WinBIZ open in parallel and compare on your actual workflow.
If after those three invoices you find Magic Heidi simpler, faster and a better fit for your solo freelance work, you can move to Pro for CHF 24.99 per month (annual) with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you find WinBIZ still suits your situation better, you'll know that too, and you've avoided a bad purchase.
A question before switching? Nathan, the founder, replies directly to emails and calls in English, German, French and Italian. His contact details are on magicheidi.ch.
Sources:
- Winbiz Cloud — Official 2026 pricing
- Winbiz Cloud Pricing — GetApp
- Winbiz Cloud Pricing — Capterra
- Winbiz 2026 review — Guide for freelancers and SMEs — Magic Heidi
Comparing other tools too? See our bexio alternative and Banana alternative pages.